Listening to your body! And a banana berry smoothie!

Through the years my interest in fitness and nutrition has developed over time. I look back to when I was a fairly unhealthy pre-teen and teenager eating hoho's and corndogs and I realize how far I have come! It has been years of a combo of self-guided research on things like running, resistance training and good nutritious food, as well as learning to really tune into my body and figuring out what makes it truly feel at its optimum.

To me its so fascinating to see this change in myself and the fact that I am STILL learning is pretty exciting. 

Just this weekend I learned a great lesson on tuning into your body. I think this is so important in the world of wellness! 

There are times when I feel far less motivated to get a workout in some days. I think to myself "hmm it would be nice if I just skipped it today- I'll just relax, or do something else productive that I need to do." On these days I know that I should just suck it up and do it because the result is a much happier, bright eyed, ready to conquer the world me. Getting started is hard- but as soon as I'm finished- I have relieved my stress, boosted my energy levels and I just feel GOOD. This was the case on Saturday. But I made myself pop in a 40 minute Insanity video at home. I like to have these videos on hand for those days I don't feel like running or going to the gym- it makes it easier by removing the step of leaving the house- which can be half the battle! Before I knew it the workout was done and I felt rejuvenated and ready for whatever my day had in store.

Then- there are times like Sunday- where I am so exhausted that my body just feels like it has nothing to give and its just screaming out for rest. I had had a long, busy week and I was feeling pretty much out of gas. In the past it has been hard for me to feel okay with going a day without doing something active. I had a hard time reading myself to see if it was because I was making an excuse to be lazy- or if I was actually tired. Sunday I needed to rest- and so I thoroughly enjoyed a low key day and now I feel rested and ready for another week ahead!

Learn how to listen to your body! It knows best!!

Another thing!

I have become a big fan of smoothies. Especially for refueling after a high intensity workout! I think I have found my favorite blend- I made this one after my workout Saturday and here it is:

Half a frozen banana (you can use a regular banana but I like to cut them up and throw them in the freezer-they have a longer life span and help give the smoothie a thicker- smoothie like texture, rather then a juice like texture)

Frozen berries (I like to buy fruit in the produce section and freeze them but the frozen already bagged kind is great too)

1/2 cup PLAIN greek yogurt (you don't need the extra sugar in the flavored stuff- its going to be sweet from the fruit!)

1 cup of fresh spinach 

Tablespoon of Chia seeds

1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder (optional- but I like to give it a little chocolate kick)

1/2 cup Almond milk (might need to add more as you blend to get the right consistency)

VOILA! delicious and does a body good